WWL Employs Searchable Podcasts

As Hurricane Gustav lead to a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans and other parts of southeastern Louisiana, those displaced had quick access to hometown reports thanks to search technology company EveryZing.

As Hurricane Gustav lead to a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans and other parts of southeastern Louisiana, those displaced had quick access to hometown reports thanks to search technology company EveryZing.

0

SHARES

As Hurricane Gustav lead to a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans and other parts of southeastern Louisiana, those displaced had quick access to hometown reports thanks to search technology company EveryZing.

The Massachusetts-based firm said that Entercom Communications station WWL-AM/FM in New Orleans used its ezSearch system to capture broadcast content and translate it into podcasts with full-text search capabilities. This gave listeners immediate access to relevant information about the storm.

"By having this on-demand access with full-text search capabilities, residents anywhere within the New Orleans area can quickly search the podcasts and jump to their exact point of interest within the file," a spokewoman stated.

EveryZing captures a radio broadcast and generates full-text, time-stamped output; thus listeners could search for and jump to a moment in a broadcast containing search terms such as "Orleans Parish Evacuation."

While some terrestrial broadcasters are quickly seizing podcasting opportunities as a means to reach more listeners, other groups are viewing developments surrounding the latest high-tech delivery trend with a bit more skepticism.